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4 July 2016

How to book / order food in train online from IRCTC

Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced online booking and ordering of food services at various stations across India. You can order food at your seat and enjoy the comfort of best quality food services at cheaper prices. The eCatering service has been started with 1500 Express / Superfast / Intercity / Duronto / Deluxe trains with an exception to Rajdhani and Shatabdi. Know how to order food services with online payment service and make the most of food services offered at the nearest stations.

Earlier online food giants like TravelKhana, Comesum, Khana online and Zoop India were making the most of passenger convenience in various trains across stations in India. Now with an official service from IRCTC, the eCatering division has taken a step forward towards enhancing customer satisfaction by merging all food merchants across the country.

Step by Step Procedure to Book Food Service in Train online from IRCTC

Now you can either search by station or else search by PNR details of your ticket or train number / name with journey date. I would recommend you to search details with station name. If you find it appropriate according to your needs, food menu will be provided for each restaurant. Select the menu and order food with minimum billing amount to be kept as necessary part.

Once you select the station, a list of food vendors will be display to choose and minimum order amount mentioned. Take a look at the below snapshot to get a reference on it.

IRCTC eCatering Service - Book food service in train online

After selecting the vendor, you will be able to access the food menu offered for each and every passenger with specific serving time mentioned. Please note that price of each food item will be inclusive of all taxes and no additional amount will be charged.

Once you make your desired selections, proceed ahead with the checkout option given in the page. A snapshot has been provided for your reference.

Food Menu - Order selection in IRCTC eCatering service online

You will be asked to enter your PNR number to access details of your ticket and give appropriate schedule to the vendors about the train timings in the station. Your ticket details will be automatically shared with the them and seat number and coach details will be displayed in final order page. An SMS and email will be notified to you with OTP number about the confirmation of the order.

If you wish to choose - Cash on Delivery option, then opt for the same and pay when your food reaches your seat delivered by the vendor. Online payment option is the easiest way to pay them as well to avoid hassle of cash transaction and be relaxed. However if your food hasn't been delivered even after train reaches the station, you may call the vendor and check for their status.

Accordingly then will update you and cancel from their end and full refund will be processed to your account without any questions asked.

How to obtain food delivery in selected train station

When your food order is booked, an SMS with email is communicated to each passenger about the food order details. This is the confirmation receipt and contains a unique OTP number which needs to be entered in the food application app which delivery boy handles. When you enter the OTP, it confirms a successful delivery of your food.

The SMS is sent 2 hours prior to the train reaching the station and email is sent 24 hours prior to journey scheduled.

Is E-Catering service available through phone and SMS facility?

Yes bookings are also accepted through phone service - Dial in the number 1323 and you will be guided by a customer care executive from IRCTC. Share with them the PNR number and station where you will be booking for food facility and subsequently your order can be prepared by them.

Upon confirmation, SMS and email is sent to you having details of food ordered.

The SMS facility of booking is available - You can text "MEAL PNR number" to 139. A customer service representative shall give you a call back and guide you for food booking on your PNR. This way it is covered through SMS and phone facility both successfully.

Who all are eligible for food service of IRCTC online

The services are available for all confirmed ticket passengers, waitlisted passengers and partially confirmed ticket passengers.

Food will be available from morning 06:00 am to night 22:00 pm. If your train is delayed beyond food service time, your order will get cancelled from the vendor and refund shall be processed immediately deducting bank charges.